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r of bondes and men…at…arms were assembled there against them； but the Birkebeins felled brushwood across the roads； and retired into the forest。 They were two years （A。D。 1175…1176） in Viken before they showed themselves in the northern parts of the country。
37。 BIRKEBEINS； KING EYSTEIN； AND SKAKKE。
Magnus had been king for thirteen years when the Birkebeins first made their appearance。 They got themselves ships in the third summer （A。D。 1176）； with which they sailed along the coast gathering goods and men。 They were first in Viken； but when summer advanced they proceeded northwards； and so rapidly that no news preceded them until they came to Throndhjem。 The Birkebeins' troop consisted principally of hill…men and Elfgrims； and many were from Thelemark； and all were well armed。 Their king； Eystein； was a handsome man； and with a little but good countenance； and he was not of great stature； for his men called him Eystein Meyla。 King Magnus and Earl Erling were in Bergen when the Birkebeins sailed past it to the north； but they did not hear of them。
Earl Erling was a man of great understanding and power； an excellent leader in war； and an able and prudent ruler of the country； but he had the character of being cruel and severe。 The cause of this was principally that he never allowed his enemies to remain in the country； even when they prayed to him for mercy； and therefore many joined the bands which were collected against him。 Erling was a tall strong…made man； somewhat short…necked and high…shouldered； had a long and sharp countenance of a light complexion； and his hair became very grey。 He bore his head a little on one side； was free and agreeable in his manners。 He wore the old fashion of clothes； long body…pieces and long arms to his coats； foreign cloak； and high shoes。 He made the king wear the same kind of dress in his youth； but when he grew up； and acted for himself； he dressed very sumptuously。
King Magnus was of a light turn of mind； full of jokes； a great lover of mirth； and not less of women。
38。 OF NIKOLAS。
Nikolas was a son of Sigurd Hranason and of Skialdvor； a daughter of Brynjolf Ulfalde； and a sister of Haldor Brynjolfson by the father's side； and of King Magnus Barefoot by the mother's side。 Nikolas was a distinguished chief； who had a farm at Ongul in Halogaland； which was called Steig。 Nikolas had also a house in Nidaros； below Saint Jon's church； where Thorgeir the scribe lately dwelt。 Nikolas was often in the town； and was president of the townspeople。 Skialdvor； Nikolas's daughter； was married to Eirik Arnason； who was also a lenderman。
39。 OF EIRIK AND NIKOLAS。
As the people of the town were coming from matins the last day of Marymas （September 8th）； Eirik came up to Nikolas； and said； 〃Here are some fishermen come from the sea； who report that some long…ships are sailing into the fjord； and people conjecture that these may be the Birkebeins。 It would be advisable to call the townspeople together with the war…horns； to meet under arms out on Eyrar。〃
Nikolas replies； 〃I don't go after fishermen's reports； but I shall send out spies to the fjord； and in the meantime hold a Thing to…day。〃
Eirik went home； but when they were ringing to high mass； and Nikolas was going to church； Eirik came to hint again； and said； 〃I believe the news to be true； for here are men who say they saw them under sail； and I think it would be most advisable to ride out of town； and gather men with arms； for it appears to me the townspeople will be too few。〃
Nikolas replies； 〃Thou art mixing everything together； let us first hear mass； and then take our resolution。〃
Nikolas then went into the church。 When the mass was over Eirik went to Nikolas； and said； 〃My horses are saddled； I will ride away。〃
Nikolas replies； 〃Farewell； then： we will hold a Thing to…day on the Eyrar； and examine what force of men there may be in the town。〃
Eirik rode away； and Nikolas went to his house； and then to dinner。
40。 THE FALL OF NIKOLAS。
The meat was scarcely put on the table； when a man came into the house to tell Nikolas that the Birkebeins were roving up the river。 Then Nikolas called to his men to take their weapons。 When they were armed Nikolas ordered them to go up into the loft。 But that was a most imprudent step； for if they had remained in the yard； the townspeople might have come to their assistance； but now the Birkebeins filled the whole yard； and from thence scrambled from all sides up to the loft。 They called to Nikolas； and offered him quarter； but he refused it。 Then they attacked the loft。 Nikolas and his men defended themselves with bow…shot； hand…shot； and stones of the chimney； but the Birkebeins hewed down the houses； broke up the loft； and returned shot for shot from bow or hand。 Nikolas had a red shield in which were gilt nails； and about it was a border of stars。 The Birkebeins shot so that the arrows went in up to the arrow feather。 Then said Nikolas； 〃My shield deceives me。〃 Nikolas and a number of his people fell； and his death was greatly lamented。 The Birkebeins gave all the towns…people their lives。
41。 EYSTEIN PROCLAIMED KING。
Eystein was then proclaimed king； and all the people submitted to him。 He stayed a while in the town； and then went into the interior of the Throndhjem land； where many joined him； and among them Thorfin Svarte of Snos with a troop of people。 When the Birkebeins； in the beginning of winter （A。D。 1177）； came again into the town； the sons of Gudrun from Saltnes； Jon Ketling； Sigurd； and William； joined them； and when they proceeded afterwards from Nidaros up Orkadal； they could number nearly 2000 men。 They afterwards went to the Uplands； and on to Thoten and Hadaland； and from thence to Ringerike； and subdued the country wheresover they came。
42。 THE FALL OF KING EYSTEIN。
King Magnus went eastward to Viken in autumn with a part of his men and with him Orm； the king's brother； but Earl Erling remained behind in Bergen to meet the Berkebeins in case they took the sea route。 King Magnus went to Tunsberg； where he and Orm held their Yule （A。D。 1177）。 When King Magnus heard that the Birkebeins were up in Re； the king and Orm proceeded thither with their men。 There was much snow； and it was dreadfully cold。 When they came to the farm they left the beaten track on the road； and drew up their array outside of the fence； and trod a path through the snow with their men； who were not quite 1500 in number。 The Birkebeins were dispersed here and there in other farms； a few men in each house。 When they perceived King Magnus's army they assembled； and drew up in regular order； and as they thought their force was larger than his； which it actually was； they resolved to fight； but when they hurried forward to the road only a few could advance at a time； which broke their array； and the men fell who first advanced upon the beaten way。 Then the Birkebeins' banner was cut down； those who were nearest gave way and some took to flight。 King Magnus's men pursued them； and killed one after the other as they came up with them。 Thus the Birkebeins could never form themselves in array； and being exposed to t